Rain or Shine clinches fifth win over Blackwater Bossing
2
NLEX support crew delivers to defeat SMB in OT
NLEX dug deep and drew extra mileage from its support crew to beat San Miguel in overtime, 122-108, at the Aquilino Pimentel International Convention Center in Cagayan De Oro City on Saturday night, August 31.
The Road Warriors claimed their third win in four outings after relying on clutch plays from their shock troopers together with their import Myke Henry and top star Robert Bolick.
Henry still delivered his usual numbers by producing 33 points, six rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks while Bolick added 20 markers including two crucial free throws that led to a four-point cushion to the last 13.8 seconds of the extra period.
But the shock troopers provided the big difference in NLEX bounce back win after succumbing to Rain or Shine, 105-124, in their last outing. The Road Warriors now improved to 3-1 in the standings.
Mike Miranda, more known as an enforcer, contributed 17 points and showcased his long-range shooting skills especially in the fourth quarter when hit a pair of three-pointers, including a four-ball that gave the Road Warriors a 96-93 cushion, with 2:16 left in the fourth.
Jonnel Policarpo added 12 points, while Jhan Nermal produced 10 and started the OT with a clutch three-point play off a foul from Marcio Lassiter.
Richie Rodger only had six points but he made his last two field goals in overtime where he had a couple of getaway layups, while Robbie Herdon chipped in 10 including a triple that led to a 110-106 advantage with 28.2 seconds remaining in the game.
SMB pulled back to within two on June Mar Fajardo's undergoal stab but Bolick brought back up to four from the stripe.
The Beermen tried to send it to a second OT but back-to-back misses from the four-point arc by CJ Perez and Chris Ross in the final 13.8 ticks enabled NLEX to complete what it failed to do back in regulation.
The Beermen, who got 36 from Jordan Adams, 29 from Perez and 19 from Fajardo, fell to back-to-back losses after a 2-0 start.
Photo Courtesy: PBA Images
The Scores (OT):
NLEX 112 - Henry 33, Bolick 20, Miranda 17, Policarpio 12, Nermal 10, Herndon 10, Rodger 6, Fajardo 2, Amer 2, Pascual 0, Marcelo 0, Valdez 0.
SAN MIGUEL 108 - Adams 36, Perez 29, Fajardo 19, Romeo 6, Trollano 5, Ross 4, Lassiter 3, Rosales 3, Manuel 2, Tautuaa 1, Cruz 0, Teng 0, Nava 0.
QUARTERS: , 20-23, 52-47, 69-74, 98-98, 112-108.
